Petition to the Ithaca Common Council, Mayor, and City Manager

Dear Neighbors, Renters, and Property Owners of Ithaca,

We need your urgent support to oppose the City of Ithaca’s proposed 2025 budget, which includes significant increases in taxes and utility rates. City tax bill increases are estimated to average 13%, plus water and sewer rates are each set to increase 9%. Your exact tax increase will depend on recent assessment increases and range from 5 - 36%. This budget, totaling over $107.5 million, represents an increase in levy of 8.1% 

These hikes would be in addition to expected increases in school and county taxes, placing an undue burden on all residents, including renters, who will face rent increases as a result.

Why This Matters:

Affordability: Ithaca is already struggling with affordability issues. These increases will make it even harder for residents to live and thrive here.

Lack of Cuts: Despite the rising costs, the proposed budget does not include necessary cuts to mitigate these increases.

Transparency and Accountability: The budget process lacks transparency critical to the Council and the public, including information such as balances in 2024 budget lines, current staff vacancies, and overall funding impacts on the already high tax burden.

Our Request:

We demand that the City Manager and Common Council revise the budget to include meaningful cuts that meet contractual and mandatory increases without imposing such drastic rate hikes.

How You Can Help:

Sign this petition to show your opposition to the proposed budget.
Contact the Mayor and Council at council@cityofithaca.org.
Attend the public hearing on November 6 at 6 PM in  Council Chambers to voice your concerns. Each speaker will have 2 minutes.

TO CHECK THE SIZE OF THE PROPOSED INCREASE FOR YOUR PROPERTY, GO HERE:  Tax Calculator

Together, we can urge our city leaders to reconsider and adopt a budget that is fair and sustainable for all Ithacans.

Sign and share this petition link to make your voice heard!